L 13 
.041823 
1830 
Copy 1 



L 13 
.P41823 
1830 
Copy 1 



1 -SEPl 8 
CONSTITUTljq^^^lggy 



RULES 



AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 



MAY, 1830. 



NEW YORK : 

PRINTED BY SLEIGHT AND ROBINSON, 

No. 26 William Street. 



This pamphlet contains one royal sheet of 24 pages. Postage not over 100 miles, 
4 cents : over 100 miles, cents. 



y/ 



Ll^ 



CONSTITUTION 

,mM'0^>23 of the 

AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 



The object of this Society is to educate pious young men for the 
gospel ministry. 

Akt. I. Any person who shall subscribe and shall pay into the 
Treasury at one time, one hundred dollars, and if a clergyman, 
forty dollars, shall be an honorary member ; and shall have a right 
to sit and dehberate in all meetings of the Society. But all mem- 
bers hereafier added to the Society, who shall be entitled to vote, 
shall be chosen by ballot at an annual meeting. 

Art. II. a permanent fund shall be formed of bequests, lega- 
cies, donations, and grants, thus appropriated by the donors ; and of 
any other property of the Society, as the Directors may think best 
calculated to promote the object in view. 

Art. in. There shall annually be chosen, by ballot, a President, 
Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, who shall also be Clerk, 
and such other officers as may be found necessary ; who shall con- 
tinue in office till others shall be chosen in their stead. 

Art. IV. This Society shall, from lime to time, by ballot, elect 
such a number of honorary Vice Presidents as they may judge ex- 
pedient. 

Art. V. The Society shall annually appoint, by ballot, eleven 
Directors ; who, together with the President and Vice President of 
the Society, shall constitute a Board of Directors, five of whom shall 
constitute a quorum at any meeting regularly convened. It shall be 
the duty of this Board to increase the funds of the Society, by soli- 
citing themselves, and by appointing and instructing agents to solicit, 
the aid requisite to achieve the object in view. This board shall 
have the power of appropriating all moneys for the support of bene- 
ficiaries ; of examining and selecting candidates for patronage ; of 
appointing committees to examine and recommend its applicants 
living in distant parts ; and, generally, of transacting all business 
necessary for the furtherance of the objects of this Society, not 
otherwise herein provided for. The Directors shall also keep a fair 
record of their proceedings, and annually make report of their 
transactions to the Society. 

Art. VI. Qualified candidates may be aided, in each stage of 

preparatory education for the ministry ; but, except in very singular 

cases, no applicant shall be assisted, even in the first stage, who shall 

not produce, from serious and respectable characters, unequivocal 

1 



CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETV. 

testimonials of hopeful piety, promising talents, and real indigence ; 
nor shall any person be continued on this foundation, whose instructor 
or instructors, except in very special cases, shall not annually exhi- 
bit to the Directors, satisfactory evidence, that in point of genius, di- 
ligence, literary progress, morals, and piety, he is a proper charac- 
ter to receive aid from these sacred funds ; in addition to which, each 
beneficiary, after his admission into any college, shall annually ex- 
hibit to the Directors, a written declaration, that it continues to be 
his serious purpose to devote his life to the gospel ministry. 

Art. VII. Any person who has been assisted by this Society, 
and v/hose name shall be stricken from the list of beneficiaries, be- 
cause of misconduct, or other deficiency in regard to the qualifica- 
tions required by the constitution, and the rules of the Directors ; or, 
%vho shall have concluded noi to devote himself to the gospel minis- 
try, shall, within a reasonable time, refund the sum expended for his 
education, with lawful interest, whenever required by the Directors. 

Arit. Vill. The President, and in his absence, the Vice Presi- 
dent, in concurrence with three of the Directors, shall have power 
to call special meetings of the Society. 

Art. iX. The Treasi'.rer shall be bound with two sureties, in a 
reasonable sum, to be deiermined by the Directors, to the faithful 
discharge of his duij. He shall vest the property of the Society in 
the safest and raosi prodl^^:tive forms ; make payments and advances 
of money, from time to time, agreeably to the orders of the Direct- 
ors ; and annually render to the Society a written account of all re- 
ceipts and expenditures within the year, of the amount of its funds, 
and of the manner in which they are vested : — this account to be 
previously e::ammed and approved, in writing, by a Committee of 
the Society, annually chosen for the purpose. He shall also give to 
the Directors, whenever they request it, a particular account of tho 
state of the Treasury. 

Art. X. The Society shall meet annually at such time and place 
as the Directors shall appoint, to elect officers, to hear the report of 
the Directors, and of the Treasurer, and to transact other necessary 
business. 

Art. XI. At all meetings of the Society, twenty members shall 
be requisite to constitute a quorum ; and every meeting of the So- 
ciety, and of the Directors, shall be opened with prayer. 

Art. XH. The Presidents of all Societies, auxiUaries to this, 
which shall pay annually one thousand dollars into the Treasury of 
this Society, shall be, ex officio, honorary Vice Presidents of this 
Society. 

Art. Xni. Whenever a Society shall be formed, by the inhabit- 
ants of any State or district, which shall adopt the essential princi- 
pies of this constitution, especially the provisions of the sixth arti- 
cle, as the basis of its own, such Society, upon due notice of its ex- 
istence, and desire of union, may be received, by a vote of the Di- 
rectors, as a constituent branch of the American Society. 

Every such Branch Society shall possess the right of appointing 
its own officers, including a Board of Directors and a Treasurer ; 
and also the right of appropriating its own funds for the assistance 
of beneficiaries, who shall have, in all respects, the requisite qualifi- 



RULES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 3 

cations. Every candidate for such assistance shall be examined b^-^ 
a committee of three competent men, two of whom shall be appointed 
by the Directors of said Branch Society, and one, by the Directors 
of this Society ; and, if approved, may prosecute his studies, prepa- 
ratory to the ministry, under the immediate superintendence of the 
Directors of said Branch Society ; or, if they shall deem it expedi- 
ent, such candidate may be committed to the charge of the Directors 
of this Society. All moneys of any Branch Society, not appro- 
priated as above, shall be transmitted to the general Treasury ; and 
whenever the exigencies of such Society shall exceed its own re- 
sources, it may apply for assistance to the Directors of this Society. 

Art. XIV. Presidents of Branch Societies shall be ex officio 
members of this Society, and also honorary members of the Board 
of Directors. 

Art. XV. The Directors shall have power to supply any vacan- 
cies that may occur in their own Board, or in the officers of the So- 
ciety, till the next annual meeting. 

Art. XVI. No alteration of this constitution shall be made, ex- 
cept on recommendation of the Directors, and by vote of three 
fourths of the members present, at an annual meeting ; or unless the 
proposed alteration shall have been submitted to the Society, in wri- 
ting, at a previous meeting. 



RULES 

OF THE 

AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 

PUBLISHED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 

MAY, 1830. 



CHAPTER I. 



OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 



1. It is the duty of the Board of Direcctors to super- 
intend and to manage the prudential and executive busi- 
ness of the Society ; and, especially, to see that the Con- 
stitution and Rules of the Society are faithfully observed. 

2. The Board meet quarterly for the transaction of 
business, on the second Wednesday of January, April, 
July, and October. Special meetings may be called by 
the Secretary, at the writtenrequestof three Directors. 



Time of 
meeting. 



Standing 
Committees. 



To keep a 
record, and 
to report an- 
nually. 



RULES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 

3. Two Standing Committees shall be appointed by the 
Board — a Financial Committee whose duty it shall be to 
attend to the funds, and to advise with the Treasurer con- 
cerning the investment of funds in the safest and most 
productive forms ; and an Executive Committee whose 
duty it shall be to examine and to discuss subjects of im- 
portance, and to report on the same to the Board ; to afford 
the Secreiaiy counsel whenever he shall request it ; and 
to perform any business during the recess of the Board, 
which, in their judgment, the interests of the Society may 
require. They shall keep a record of all their proceed, 
ings, which record shall be read to the Board at their 
regular, or other meetmgs, for their approval. 

4. The Directors shall keep a fair record of their pro- 
ceedings, and annually make report of their transactions 
to the Society. 



CHAPTER II. 



Oeneral Du- 
ties. 



To examine 
Candidates 
in special 
cases. 



To exercise 
a pastoral su- 
pervision. 



To see that 
accounts of 
Beneficiaries 



OF THE SECRETARY. 

1. The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence ; 
keep the records of the Board and of the Executive Com- 
mittee ; take measures for increasing the funds ; and do 
what he can to promote the highest prosperity and useful- 
ness of the Society. 

2. The Secretary shall pay particular attention to the 
character and qualifications of applicants for aid, and for 
this purpose he shall be authorized to take part with Ex- 
amining Committees, whenever he can be present, in the 
examination of candidates, as the official representative of 
this Board, and in special cases to conduct examinations 
separately. 

3. The Secretary shall be required to exercise, so far 
as he shall be able, pastoral supervision over all who are 
under the patronage of the Society ; by visiting them at 
the places where they reside, and conversing and praying 
with them individuall}' or collectively ; by correspondence 
with them, and with their instructors ; and by any other 
means calculated to excite them to effort, and to encou- 
rage them to seek an elevated spirit of piety. 

4. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to see that the 
stated or other accounts of beneficiaries, under the patron- 



RTTT.RS OP THR AMRRTCAN TIDTTCATION SOOTFTV. 



age either of the Parent Society or of its Branches, are 
made out conformably to rule, and returned to the general 
office in season to be reported to the Board at each quar- 
terly meeting. He shall also give notice of all appro- 
priations made by the General Society, or its Branches, 
to }'oung men under patronage, and direct them how, and 
where to apply for the same. 

5. The Secretary shall notify all meetings of the Board, 
and when it can be done, make an orderly arrangement 
of the business to be transacted. 

6. Such assistance shall be allowed the Secretary in 
his department, as the Board shall judge to be necessary. 



are regularly 
returned. 



To notify 
Meetings, 



To have 
assistance. 



CHAPTER HI. 



OP THE TREASURER. 



1. The Treasurer shall take charge of the funds be- 
longing to the Society, and keep an accurate account of 
the same, showing the sources from which they have been 
derived, and the purposes for which they have been given. 
He shall open a separate account with each Branch So- 
ciety, with each Scholarship, or other distinct fund, and 
with each Beneficiary of the Parent Society, and of the 
Branches. 

2. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to invest the 
funds of the Society in the safest and most productive 
forms ; but no permanent investments shall be made, or 
changed by him, without the concurrence of the Finan- 
cial Committee. 

3. No money shall be paid by the Treasurer from the 
funds of the Society, without a written order from the Di- 
rectors. The following shall be the form in which the 
payments of accounts shall be directed. " The within, 
[or above] account allowed by the Directors, and pay- 
ment ordered [adding the date] A B , Clerk. 

C D , Treasurer." 

4. The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of all 
notes of young men assisted by the Parent Society and of 
its branches. Whenever, in his judgment, it may be im- 
portant to have the notes deposited for safe keeping, at the 
places where they are given, he shall have the power of 
appointing such persons as he shall judge proper, for this 

1* 



To make iij- 
vestments 
with the con- 
currence of 
theFinancial 
Committee. 



To make n* 
payments 
without a 
written or- 
der. 



To take 
charge of the 
notes of Ben- 
eficiaries. 



To receive 
and distri- 
bute dona- 
tions in 
clotliing. 



To report the 
state of the 
funds. 



To report an- 
nually to the 
Society. 



To give 
bonds. 



BTTtES OF THE ATVTRRICAJV EDUCATION SOCIETY. 

purpose, and of giving them the necessary instructions, ar- 
his agents. When the notes thus given shall become 
due, it shall be his duty to give seasonable notice thereof" 
to the persons by whom they have been given, unless they 
shall have been previously cancelled, or otherwise dis- 
posed of by the Board. 

5. The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of do. 
nations in clothing, and shall distribute the same agreeably 
to directions given by the Secretary, or such other person 
or persons as the Executive Committee of the Board shall 
appoint for this purpose. 

6. At each quarterly meeting of the Directors, the 
Treasurer shall make a report in writing on the state of 
the funds, mentioning, particularly, what amount there is 
in the treasury at the time, subject to the immediate dis- 
posal of the Directors. He shall, also, furnish for publi- 
cation quarterly, or oftener, if requested, a complete list of 
all donations to the Parent Society, and to its several 
Branches. 

7. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to make a writ- 
ten Report to the Society, at each annual meeting, of all 
expenditures and receipts within the year ; of the amount 
of the funds, and the manner of their investment ; which 
report shall be previously examined, and proved in 
writing, by an Auditing Committee, chosen by the So- 
ciety. 

8. The Treasurer shall be bound for the faithful dis- 
charge of his duties, with sufficient sureties, in a rea- 
sonable sum, to be determined by the Directors. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Examining 
Committees 
to be few. 



OF EXAMINING COMMITTEES. 

1. The Board of Directors shall appoint such number 
of Examining Committees in different parts of the coun- 
try, to examine and recommend candidates for patronage, 
as the convenience of applicants, and the interests of the 
Society, may require. But, as the duties to be performed 
are of a highly sacred and responsible nature, the undue 
multiplication of such committees is to be studiously 
avoided. Where no special reasons exist for a larger 
number, each Committee shall consist of three persons. 



RULE! OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETf. 

2. When a candidate for patronage applies for exam- 
ination, it shall be the duty of the Examining Committee, 
to whom the application is made, to institute a personal 
and faithful inquiry respecting his testimonials, his studies, 
his religious character ; his motives in seeking an educa- 
tion for the Christian ministry, and his willingness to con- 
form to the rules of the American Education Society. If, 
after serious and full examination, the Committee shall be 
satisfied that the applicant possesses the character and 
qualifications required of beneficiaries by the Constitution 
and Rules of the Society, it shall be their duty to recom- 
mend him for patronage to the Board of Directors of the 
Parent Society, or, of one of its Branches if the applicant 
reside within the limits of a Branch Society. In their 
recommendation, the committee shall state very particu- 
larly, the name, age, residence, place of education, church 
connexion, and other important facts connected with the 
history or character of the applicant, together with an 
account of the testimonials furnished, and the names of the 
persons by whom they were furnished. 

3. If, after examining a candidate, the Committee shall 
have doubts respecting his character and qualifications, 
while yet they are so far satisfied as to be unwilling to re- 
ject the application, they may state the grounds of their 
doubts, and recommend the applicant on condition of re- 
examination after a suitable period. 

4. It shall be the duty of the several Examining Com- 
mittees, to endeavor to impress the minds of those who 
apply for patronage with a deep sense of the momentous 
and solemn nature of their undertaking, to explain to 
them the principles upon which appropriations are made 
by this Society, and to apprize them of the necessity, 
which the rules of the Society lay upon them, of making 
vigorous efforts to sustain themselves. It is recommended 
that every examination of candidates be introduced and 
closed with prayer. 

5. Certificates and testimonials furnished any Ex- 
amining Committee shall be regarded as the property of 
the Board of Directors of the Parent Society, and shall 
be carefully preserved till called for by them or their 
lawful agent ; except, that in case an applicant shall not 
be received on trial, his papers may, if he requests it, bd 
returned to him. 



Mode of ex- 
amination. 



Doubtful' 

cases. 



Applicants to 
be remindeti 
of the nature 
of their ua- 
rlertakin". 



Testimonials 
to be preserv 
Rd till called 
for by the 
Board. 



RULES OF THE AMERICAN EEUCATION SOCIETY. 



CHAPTER V. 



Who are to 
te regarded 
as candidates 



Steps to be 
taken by ap- 
plicants iu 
obtaining pa- 
tronage. 



Applicants 
admitted on 
on trial. 



Schedules to 
be returned 
quarterly. 



OF BENEFICIARIES. 

1. No person shall be considered a candidate for as- 
sistance who has not pursued classical studies for at 
least three months, and who has not attained to fourteen 
years of age. 

2. No person shall be patronized who does not furnish 
satisfactory evidence of promising talents, decided piety, 
and who is not in the way of obtaining a thorough classi- 
cal and theological education, that is, either preparing to 
enter College ; or a member of some regularly constituted 
College where a thorough classical course is pursued; 
or engaged in Theological studies with the design of 
taking a regular three years' course. 

3. When a young man wishes to apply for patronage, 
he must pursue the following steps. First. He must ob- 
tain unequivocal testimonials from three or more serious 
and respectable persons best acquainted with him and 
his circumstances, (e. g.) his minister, instructer, a ma- 
gistrate, or some other principal man in the vicinity, 
stating his age, place of residence, indigence, moral and re- 
ligious character, including his church connexion, talents, 
previous education, and serious desire to devote his life to 
the Christian ministry. These testimonials should be 
sealed papers, that the writers of them may speak freely, 
concerning the character of the applicants. Secondly. 
Having obtained these testimonials the applicant must 
present his request for examination and recommendation to 
some Examining Committee in his neighbourhood, or 
within the portion of the country to which he belongs. If 
no such Committee is known to have been appointed, the 
applicant or his friends may write, for information, to the 
Secretary of the Parent Society ; or if he resides within 
the limits of a Branch Society, to the Secretary of that 
Branch. 

4. Whenever a young man has taken the above course 
and been examined and recommended by an authorized 
Committee, to the Board of Directors of the Parent So- 
ciety, or of one of its Branches, he may be admitted on trial, 
at the discretion of the Board, for a period of three months. 

5. Every young man admitted on trial, or regularly re- 
ceived in the manner hereinafter mentionedj shall renew 



KtJLES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 



his application, and make his returns to the Board quar- 
terly, in season for each quarterly meeting unless for spe- 
cial reasons a longer period shall have been granted by 
the Board of the Parent Society, and he shall do the 
same, with scrupulous exactness, according to the follow- 
ing form or schedule — which shall be regularly and punc- 
tually returned by all under the patronage of the Society 
or of its Branches, in every stage of their education. 



; 
t 


3 


I declare it to be my serious purpose, to 
devote my life to the Christian Ministry, 
and to pursue a three years' course of Theo- 
logical studies. For tills object,] solicit the 
patronage of the American Education So- 
ciety. 




Standing 1st, 2d, or 
3d year. 




Number of Weeks 
included in this ace. 




Number of Weeks 
engaged in Study- 



Expense for Board. 



I Expense for Tuition. 



and Washing. 



Expense for Fuel 
and Light^ 



I Expense for Books 
I and Stationary. 



Expense lor 

Clothing. 

Incidental Expenses. 



Total of Expenses 
for the period speci- 
fied. 



Rec'd from Ameri- 
can Ed. Society, du- 
ring this period. 



Received from other 
public Funds and 
I from Friends, inclu- 
ding Clothing and 
Books. 



I Total of Receipts 



Debts, exclusive of 
dues to the Ameri- 
can Education Soc. 



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3 


I hereby declare it to be 
my serious purpose, to de- 
vote my life to tiie Chris- 
tian ministry, and solicit 
the iiatronage of the Am. 
Education Society. 




Standing 1st, 2d, 3d, 
or 4th year. 




No. of weeks' study 
during the Quarter. 




Price of Board per 
Week. 




Amount for Board 
during the auaner. 




Tuition during the 
Quarter. 




Expense for Room 
and Washing. 




Expense for 
Clothing. 




Expense for Light 
and Wood. 






Expense for Books 
and Stationary. 



I Incidental Expenses. 



Total Expenses du- 
ring the Quarter 



Debts at the begin- 
ning of the Quarter, 
e.xclusive of dues to 
the Am. Ed. Soc. 



Received from Am. 
Education Society 
d ming the Quarter. 



Received from other 
Funds, and from 
Friends, including 
Clothing and Books. 



I Received for teach- 
I ing School. 



I Received for labor. 



Total of receipts du- 
ring the Quarter. 



Present debt, exclu- 
sive of dues to the 
Am. Ed. Society. 






fdo 



I 

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PS V^ 



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10 



SULES OP THE AMERICAN EDUCATI6N SOCIETY, 



Schedule to 
1)6 examined, 
& certificate 
made, by the 
senior in- 
Ktructer. 



6. When the applicant shall have filled the blanks hi 
one or other of the above forms, according to the stage 
of education in which he is pursuing his studies, he shall 
give the schedule to the principal officer or instructer of 
the Institution with which he is connected, who must sub- 
scribe the following declaration, on some part of the 
same, before it can be received by the Board of Direc- 
tors. 

" I certify that I have examined the within [or above] 
accounts and that I believe the same to be correct ; and 
also that the person [or persons] herein named sustains 
[or sustain] the character required of beneficiaries by the 
Constitution and Rules of the American Education So- 
ciety."* 

[Date] A B 

Note for eacii 7. If the note given for his preceding grant, has not 
seiu,"o been forwarded by the applicant to the Treasurer of the 
Parent Society, he shall give the schedule, before sending 
it, to such person as the Treasurer of the Parent Society 
may have authorized to receive notes for safe keeping, 
whose signature to the following declaration written upon 
the schedule, shall be given, before it can be received by 
the Directors. 

" I certify that T have received for safe keeping the 
note [ornotes] of the within [or above] named person [or 
persons] for his [or their] last grant ; which note [or notes] 
is [or are] subject to the order of the Directors of the 
American Education Society. 

Thatp 1 ,-1 TT < Agent for the Treasurer 

[DATE. J A B ^ofthe Am. Ed. Society. 



appropriat'n 



* That instructerB may be at no loss to understand the import of this declara- 
tiOD, the article of the Constitution is here inserted, which explains it— "Art. 6 
Qualified candidates may be aided, in each stage of preparatory education for 
the ministry ; but, except in very singular cases, bo applicant shall be assisted, 
even in the first stage, who shall not produce, from serious and respectable 
characters, unequivocal testimonials of hopeful piety, promising talents, and 
real indigence ; nor shall any person be continued on this foundation, whose 
instructer or instructers, exeept in very special cases, shall not annually exhibit 
to the Directors, satisfactory evidence, that in point of genius, diligence, literary 
progress, morals, and piety, he is a proper character to receive aid from these 
sacred funds ; in addition to which, each beneficiary, after his admission into 
asy college, shall annually exliibit to the Directors, a written declaration, that 
it continues to be his serious purpose to devote his life to the gospel ministry." — 
No young man of doubtful moral or religious character, or whose talents and 
scholarship faU decidedly below mediocrity, ean be sustained consistently witl\ 
tljis article. 



RULES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETV. 

8. When a candidate has been on trial for such length 
of time as to satisfy the Directors of the Parent Society 
that he possesses the character and qualifications re- 
quired by the Constitution and Rules, he may, upon re- 
commendation of the Secretary, or in case he has been 
admitted on trial by the Board of Directors of a Branch 
Society, with the concurrent vote of such Board, be re- 
ceived by the Parent Board, as a regular beneficiary of 
the American Education Society, provided he is 15 years 
of age, and has previously subscribed the following decla- 
ration. 

" Having made myself acquainted with the Constitu- 
tion and Rules of the American Education Society, I so- 
lemnly promise to conform to them so far as they relate 
to beneficiaries, while I continue to receive the patronage 
of the Society or of its Branches." 

[Date and residence] A B ■ 

9. Every young man, upon being regularly received, 
f^hall be entitled to a certificate of his admission, signed 
by the Secretary of the Parent Society, and shall have 
all the privileges which the Parent Society or its Branches 
bestow on those who are under their patronage. Every 
such person upon removing out of the limits of one Branch 
Society into those of another, or from within any of the 
districts where the Parent Society exercises a direct su- 
perintendence, to those of a Branch Society, shall be re- 
ceived by the Board of such Society, upon presenting the 
above certificate ; provided, that he shall also be able to 
exhibit evidence of a regular dismission from his former 
place of instruction and recommendation, agreeably to 
the 11th section of this chapter. 

10. Young men who shall have passed through the 
preparatory course of study required by the American 
Education Society, and in conformity to the Rules, shall 
be entitled to an honorable Testimonial certifying the 
fact, and signed by the President and Secretary. If any 
young man shall, at any time, while under patronage, 
wish to close his connexion with the Society, he shall 
make known his wishes to the Secretary of the Parent 
Society ; and, provided he has maintained the character 
required and conformed to the Rules, he shall receive an 
honorable dismission. 

11. No person, whether admitted on trial, or regularly 



11 



Regular ben 
eficiaries. 



Regular ben- 
eficiaries to 
have a certif- 
icate of their 
reception. 



Entitled to 
an lionorable 
Testimonial 
or Certificati; 
of dismission 



Not to re 



12 



move from 
one place or 
stage of edu- 
eation with- 
out approba- 
tion. 



Patronage 
dependent on 
<;haracter in 
every stage. 



Those who 
enter the 
marriage 
state. 



Persons not 

reporting 

themselves. 



RULES OP THE AMEBICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 

received into connection with the Parent Society, or with 
one of its Branches, shall remove from one place of in- 
struction to another,* or shall advance from one stage of 
instruction to another, without first obtainmg a letter of 
dismission and recommendation from his instructer, or 
instructors ; or unless notice of such intention has been 
previously given by him to the Directors of the Parent 
Society, or of the Branch with which he is connected, 
and their approbation has been obtained. 

12. All, in every stage of their education, shall be re- 
garded as standing upon their character ; and shall be 
liable to have their patronage discontinued for improper 
conduct of any kind, at the discretion of the Directors of 
the Parent Society, or if they are under the immediate 
care of a Branch, at the discretion of the Board of such 
Branch, with the concurrence of the Board of the Parent 
Society. Instances of gross fraud or imposition, should 
they occur, may be exposed publicly, at the discretion 
of the Directors in like manner. 

13. If any young man, under the patronage of this 
Society shall enter into the marriage state during his pre- 
paratory course for the ministry, his appropriations shall 



Bcnenriaries 
of other So- 
fieties who 
apply to this. 



14. If any young man under the patronage of the So- 
ciety shall neglect to report himself in the manner re- 
quired in the 5th section of this chapter, twice in succes- 
sion, without giving any explanation of his omission, he 
shall be considered irregular, and on renewing his appli- 
cation for aid, shall be liable to re-examination and to a 
second admission on trial, at the discretion of the Direc 
tors either of the Parent Society, or if he resides within 
the limits of a Branch, at the discretion of its Board of 
Directors. 

15. Beneficiaries of other Education Societies, apply, 
ing for patronage to this Society, must exhibit satisfactory 
evidence of previous good standing in the Societies with 
which they have been connected, and must furnish an 
Examining Committee of this Society with satisfactory 
evidence of their attainments and piety, and be recom- 



* It is the uniform principle of the Board not to show exclusive or partial re- 
gard to any literary institution ; although they wish it to be well understood that 
they decidedly prefer a public school to a private one. 



EITLES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 



13 



inended b}- them to its patronage, before they can be re- 
ceived either upon trial, or regularly admitted. 

16. It is desired and expected of all under patronage, 
that a valuable portion of every day will be employed, as 
there may be opportunity, in useful exercise and in pro- 
ductive labor, with a view of promoting vigorous health, 
and of enabling them to do something towards defraying 
the expenses of their education. 

17. Every beneficiary of this society should regard it 
as an object of primary importance to grow continually 
in a spirit of enlightened devotion, and of fervent piety, 
deeply impressed with the sentiment, that without this, all 
his other acquisitions will be comparatively of little worth, 
either to himselt", or to the Church of Christ. It is, there- 
fore, affectionately and earnestly recommended to every 
beneficiary, that he daily spend a portion of time in de- 
vout meditation, reading the scriptures with a view to a 
personal and practical application, and in humble and 
fervent prayer ; that the Sabbath will be faithfully em- 
ployed in religious duties, social and secret, and that as- 
sociations for prayer and religious improvement will be 
attended as circumstances shall permit. 



Exercise and 
productive 
labor recom- 
mended. 



Growth in 
piety. 



CHAPTER VI. 



OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

1. The amount appropriated to young men under pa- 
tronage shall be the least with which they can be carried 
forward, consistently with health and a thorough educa- 
tion, after making suitable efforts to assist tiiemselves, and 
-receiving the aid of other public funds and of friends. 

2. The annual amount of appropriations to young men 
under patronage in all stages of their education, shall be 
seventy-five dollars ; of which eighteen dollars shall be 
appropriated for each quarter ending in July and October; 
nineteen dollars for the quarter ending in January ; and 
twenty dollars for the quarter ending in April : excepting, 
that in the first stage, while young men are fitting for col- 
lege, there shall be a reduction of five dollars from each 
quarterly appropriation, m cases where tuition is gratui- 
tously afforded ; and in any stage of their education 

2 



Amount ap 
propriated. 



Simi per 
quarter. 



14 



KULflS OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 



Appropria- 
tions in the 
farm ofloans 



Form of the 

notes. 



Notes to bi 
renewed a 
certain peri 
ods. 



Notes cancel- 
led in certain 
cases. 



where both the board and tuition are furnished gratuitous- 
ly, the quarterly appropriation shall be ten dollars. 

3. Appropriations in money shall be made in the foni) 
of loans, for which young men, whether of age or not. 
shall give their notes, at the time of receiving them in the 
following form — if under the direct superintendence of 
the Parent Society: 

" For value received I promise to pay the American 

Education Society, or order —dollars in one, 

two, and three years, after my preparatory studies for the 
ministry shall have been closed ; viz. one third part each 
year, with interest upon each part after the same respec 
tively shall have become due." 

[Residence and Date] A B 

For appropriations made to beneficiaries by Branch 
Societies, the following shall be the form used : 

" For value received I promise to pay the American 

Education Society, or order (for the use of the 

Branch of the American Education Society,) dol- 
lars in one, two, and three years after my preparatory stu- 
dies for the ministry shall have been closed ; viz. one 
third part each year, with interest upon each part after 
the same shall have respectively become due ; each of 
which yearly instalments immediately on its being paid, 
is to be subject to the order of the Treasurer of said 
Branch Society." A B 

4. Upon receiving a new appropriation, young men 
shall be required, at the discretion of the Treasurer, to 
take up their former notes and give a new note, of the 
same form, for the amount. When a beneficiary has 
completed his whole course of study, or wishes to close 
his connexion with the Society, he shall take up all the 
notes which he has formerly given, and put the amount 
into a new note ; or, if he has entered upon his profes- 
sion, the amount shall be divided into three equal parts, 
and a note given for each part, according to the condi- 
tions expressed in his former notes. 

5. In case the future condition of those who are patron- 
ized by the Society, in consequence of any calamity, or 
of the service of the church to which they may be pro- 
videntially called, or the peculiar situation in which they 
may be placed, shall, in the judgment of the Board, be 
found to be such, as to render it unsuitable for them to 



EXILES OP THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. 

be called upon to pay the debt contracted for their edu- 
cation, it shall be understood to be the right and duty of 
the Board, to cancel such debt in whole, or in part, when- 
ever they shall judge proper. The notes of young men 
patronized by a Branch Society, shall be cancelled by 
the concurrent vote of the Board of the Parent Society 
and of such Branch. 

6. No appropriations shall be made to young men either 
by the Board of the Parent Society, or of a Branch So- 
ciety, except at the reoular meetings ; and then no ap- 
propriations shall be made unless young men have con- 
formed to the Rules in making out their returns. If an 
applicant has failed to maiie such returns in season for 
the meeting at which they should have been presented, 
they must be laid over till the next regular meeting ; nor 
may an appropriation for the preceding period be allow- 
ed, if the failure of the applicant to forward his returns 
be owing to any fault of his, either in not making him- 
self acquainted with the rules, or in not taking the neces- 
sary pains to inform himself, and to observe them. 

7. A young man admitted on trial, shall receive his 
first appropriation at the same meeting in which he is ad- 

mitted. But the sum granted, at one time, shall not ex- 
ceed the appropriation allowed for one quarter, unless, on 
account of the distance of the applicant, he has been au- 
thorized by the Board of the Parent Society to make his 
returns and to receive his appropriations less frequently 
than once in a quarter. 

8. Notice of appropriations shall be given to young 
men as early after being made as shall be convenient, by 
the Secretary of the Parent Society, and he shall direct 
how and where the funds are to be obtained. Persons 
authorized by the Treasurer of the Parent Society to re- 
ceive the notes of young men, for safe keeping, shall in 
all cases, where it can be done, be the persons authorized 
to draw or to receive the funds thus appropriated, and 
shall take each young man's note for his appropriation at 
the time of paying it. 

9. Where appropriations have been made by the Board 
of Directors of a Branch, the order of the Directors of 
such Branch for payment shall be suspended, until the 
Board of the Parent Society have held their correspond, 
ing meeting, and have concurred in the appropriations ; 



15 



No appropri- 
ations to be 
made but at 
particular 
times& when 
the rules 
have been 
observed. 



First appro- 
priation, at 
the time of 
admission on 
trial. 



Notice of ap- 
propriations 
to be given by 
the Secreta- 
ry of the Pa- 
rent Society. 



Appropria- 
tions by 
Brancli Soci- 
eties not to bo 
paid till the 
Board of the 
Parent Socie- 
ty have con- 
curred. 



16 



List of appro- 
priations and 
deficiencies 
to be sent to 
the Treasu- 
rer. 



Moneys re- 
funded to 
Brancli So- 
cieties. 



Blanks for 
accounts &c. 
to be furnish- 
ed by the 
Board. 



RULES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETT, 

and the Secretary of such Branch, upon receiving offi- 
cial notice from the Secretary of the Parent Society that 
the appropriations have been concurred in, shall immedi- 
ately forward the order for payment to the Treasurer of 
the Branch, mentioning the names of each individual for 
whom funds are to be drawn, with the amount voted to 
each, and directing the money to be paid to such person 
or persons, as the Directors of the Parent Society shall 
authorize to receive and distribute the appropriations. If 
the Board of the Parent Society do not concur in an ap- 
propriation made by the Board of a Branch, the reasons 
of such non-concurrence shall be forwarded, and payment 
suspended until a further investigation of the case shall 
enable both Boards to concur in their decision on the 
subject. 

10. A list of appropriations made by the Board of the 
Parent Society at each quarterly meeting, and of all de- 
ficiencies in the several Branch Treasuries which they 
have voted to supply, shall be made out by the Clerk of 
the Board immediately after the meeting, with the usual 
order for payment. The former, the Treasurer shall 
pay to those who are authorized as his agents to draw for 
the money, upon receiving their respective orders; the 
latter, he shall forward direct, and without delay, to the 
Treasurers of the several Branch Societies in which the 
deficiencies may exist. 

11. Moneys refunded by Beneficiaries, appropriations 
to whom shall have been granted by a Branch Society, 
shall be pledged to the Branch Society by which the mo- 
ney was appropriated. The manner of redeeming this 
pledge shall be left to mutual arrangement between the 
Board of the Parent Society and the Boards of the several 
Branches. 

12. That there may be a thorough and uniform obser- 
vance of the Rules of the Society, the Board of Directors 
shtill keep a constant supply of Blanks, and of Blank 
Books, for the use of officers of Branch Societies and of 
all others concerned in the business of the Society, the 
expense of which shall be defrayed out of the Parent 
treasury. 



RULES OF THJG AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETV. 



17 



CHAPTER VII. 



SCHOLARSHIPS. 

1. Scholarships shall be of two descriptions, Perma- 
nent, and Temporary. A permanent scholarship shall 
consist of one thousand dollars, the income only of which 
shall be appropriated. A Temporary scholarship shall 
consist of an annuity, or subscription of seventy -five dol- 
lars a year, continued for a period of seven years. 
. 2. For every Temporary scholarship which may be 
intrusted to the Society, the Directors will aim to educate 
one young man for the ministry ; and for every Perma- 
nent scholarship founded and secured to the Society, the 
Directors will educate a succession of ministers of the 
gospel, as fast as the income will permit. 

3. In cases where a scholarship is founded by an indi- 
vidual, it shall be designated by the name of the donor 
unless the donor shall affix to it some other name, and 
where a scholarship is founded by several individuals, it 
shall be called by such name as they may agree upon, or 
if none is given, by such name as the Directors shall 
give it. 

4. Donors wishing to nominate young men to their re- 
spective foundations, may have the right of doing so, pro- 
vided the persons so nominated shall in all respects pos- 
sess the character required, and shall conform to the rules 
of the Society. 

5. Regular beneficiaries, in either stage of their edu- 
cation, shall be placed upon scholarships, and each scho- 
larship shall have some such beneficiary placed upon it 
as speedily as may be after it is established. 

6. Branch Societies shall be requested to nominate 
young men under their particular care to scholarships oh- 
tained within their limits, unless the donors themselves 
reserve this privilege. 

7. The income of permanent scholarships pledged to 
the Board of Directors of a Branch, shall be transmitted 
by the Treasurer of the Parent Society to the Treasurer 
of such Branch. 



One young 
man to be ed- 
ucated witli 
the aid of a 
single Schol- 
arship. 



Scholarships 
to receive a 
name. 



Donor.? may 
nominate be- 
neficiaries. 



Regular ben- 
eficiaries on- 
ly, eligible. 



Branch Soci- 
eties to nom- 
inate. 



Income of 
Scholarships 
pledged to 
Branch Soci- 
eties to be 
transmitted. 



18 



KULES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETV, 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Branches to 
conform to 
t;ie Constitu- 
tion & Rules 
of the Parent 
Society. 



Applications 
for aid. 



Examining 
Conimittees. 



Bcneficiarits 
to be trans- 
ferred. 



BRANCH SOCIETIES. 

1. Each Branch and its Board of Directors will aim to 
conform all their proceedings to the Rules and regula- 
tions of the Parent Society, and especially to the funda- 
mental principles of the Constitution. 

2. The territorial limits within which the operations oi 
the several Branches shall be confined, shall be a matter 
of mutual arrangement between the Board of Directors of 
the Parent Society, and the Board of each Branch re- 
spectively. 

3. Young men residing, or expecting to reside, within 
the Hmits of a particular Branch Society, and applying 
for aid, shall be examined and recommended by a com- 
mittee of three, two of whom shall be appointed by the 
Directors of such Branch Society, and one by the Direc- 
tors of the Parent Society ; and the recommendation of 
this committee, or of a majority of them, shall be an essen- 
tial prerequisite to the receiving any person upon the 
funds, either of the Branch, or of the Parent Society : 
provided however, that in case the instructers, donors, or 
guardians, under whose care beneficiaries are placed, or 
by whom they are supported, shall find it most conve- 
nient, or for other reasons desirable, that such examination 
should be conducted by a committee appointed wholly by 
the Directors of the Parent Society, — the wishes of such 
instructers, donors, or guardians, may be gratified, at the 
discretion of the Directors of that Society. 

4. There shall be one Examining Committee, appoint- 
ed as above mentioned, within the limits of each Branch ; 
and although the multiplicationof Examining Committees 
beyond what is absolutely necessary, is to be carefully 
guarded against, yet if one should not be found to be suffi- 
cient, another or more may be appointed, in addition, 
upon recommendation of the Board of Directors of the 
Branch Society, and with the sanction of the Board of 
Directors of the Parent Society. 

5. The Board of Directors of the Parent Society, ex- 
cept where special reasons shall make it inexpedient, or 
inconvenient, will transfer the beneficiaries which it may 
already have within the limits of any Branch Society, to 



HULKS OF THE AMERICAN EDTTCATIOJf SOCIETY. 

the immediate care of the Board of Directors of such 
Branch. 

6. Beneficiaries removing from the Hmits of one Branch 
into those of another, shall be regarded as removing their 
relation to the Branch within whose limits they are to re- 
side. Or if there be no such Branch, they shall fall 
under the immediate superintendence of the general So- 
ciety. 

7. All accounts with Beneficiaries shall be kept in the 
name of the Parent Society ; and their periodical or other 
returns, or copies of them, shall be directed and regularly 
transmitted to the Board of Directors of that Society. 

8. The special care and supervision which the Secre- 
tary of the Parent Society is required to take of benefi- 
ciaries in the various stages of their preparatory studies, 
shall be exercised without distinction over those who are 
under the immediate supervision of the Parent Society 
and of its Branches. 

9. The Board of Directors of each Branch, are ex- 
pected to co-operate with the Directors of the Parent So- 
ciety in raising funds within its limits, by conferring with 
the Secretary of the Parent Society, and by appointing 
agents to assist him in the work of solicitation, within 
those limits, when desired ; but nothing contained in this 
regulation shall be construed as prohibiting the Board of 
any Branch from adopting measures of their own for 
raising funds when a co-operation with the Parent So- 
ciety cannot, for any reason, be conveniently or speedily- 
had. 

10. The Parent Society, being an incorporated institu- 
tion, with an ample charter for holding funds, all dona- 
tions given for the purpose of founding permanent scho- 
larships, whether by individuals or associations, shall be 
given directly for that Society ; but the income of such as 
are given within the limits of a Branch Society, shall be 
pledged to the Board of Directors of such Branch to be 
appropriated by them, according to the provisions of the 
general constitution. All donations for immediate use, 
and all temporary scholarships within the limits of a 
Branch and sent to its treasury, shall be pledged in like 
manner : provided that nothing in this article shall be 
considered as restraining, or in any way affecting the li- 
berty of donors to make such an arrangement in regard to 
their donations as they may think proper. 



19 



from one 
place to an- 
other. 



Accounts 
kept in the 
name of the 
Parent See. 



Supervision 
of the Sec'y- 



Kaisingfand* 



Principal ot' 
Scholarships 
held by the 
Parent Soc. 



20 



Meetings. 



Tieasurei" of 
tJie Branch io 
report quar- 
terly. 



Surplus 
funds. 



Differences 
of opinion to 
be referred to 
• he Parent 
t?ociety. 



Alterations 
and ainend- 



nVLUS OF THE AMERICAN EDTJCATIOlif SOCIETY. 

11. It shall be the duty of the Board of each Branch 
Society, to meet quarterly, at least two weeks previous to 
the second Wednesday of January, April, July, and Octo- 
ber, to receive the returns of beneficiaries under their 
care ; to appropriate the funds at their disposal ; to attend 
to the applications of new beneficiaries ; and to transact 
any other business which may be important to the welfare 
of that part of the general concern which is confided to 
their care. 

12. The treasurer of each Branch shall be required to 
make a quarterly report, to its Board of Directors, of the 
state of the treasury, noting particularly the amount of 
disposable funds, which is possessed at the time ; he shall 
also be required to forward a duplicate of the same re- 
port, including a complete and accurate list of donations 
for the quarter, to the Treasurer of the Parent Society ; 
and for all funds in his hands, or under his care, belong- 
ing to the General Society, he shall forward a certificate 
to its Treasurer. 

13. Surplus funds in the treasury of any Branch So- 
ciety, shall be transmitted to the general treasury, or 
made subject to its order at least once a year, and oftener 
where arrangements for tliat end shall be mutually en- 
tered into, by the Board of the Parent Society and the 
Board of any Branch. 

14. Schedules, containing the pecuniary accounts of 
beneficiaries, with their renewed applications for aid, 
shall usually be made out, and returned quarterly. If 
the beneficiaries are under the care of a Branch Society, 
they must make their returns to the Secretary of that 
Branch, in season for the quarterly meeting of its Direc- 
tors ; and when those returns have been acted upon by 
them, they shall be sent by the Secretary of the Branch 
to the Secretary of tlie Parent Society, in season for the 
quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of that So- 
ciety, with an official note, stating how much has been 
appropriated by the Board of the Branch Society, and 
how much will be necessary from the Board of the Pa- 
rent Society to complete the appropriation. 

15. In case of a difference of opinion, between the 
Board of the Parent Society, and the Board of a Branch, 
the subject shall be referred to the decision of the Parent 
Society at a legal meeting, as a portion of the members 
of that Society are chosen from within the limits of each 
Branch. 

16. Other rules and regulations may hereafter be 
added, or those which are here specified may be aUered 
or amended, as experience may suggest to be necessary. 



EXPLANATORY REMARKS, 21 

EXPLANATORY REMARKS. 

Origin of th,:. Society. 

The American Education Society was formed in 1815, and incor- 
porated in 1816. Its origin is to be traced to the spiritual wants of 
mankind, and to a deep conviction that more vigorous and more ex- 
tended etforts than have ever yet been made, are called for, in order 
to supply our country and the world with pious, devoted, and well 
educated ministers of the gospel. Facts show, that two thirds of 
those who have recently devoted their lives to pi-eaching the gospel 
in pagan lands — and one half of those who have engaged in the 
work of domestic missions, have been indigent young men, who 
needed, and who received, in a greater or less degree, the special 
aid of the Christian public in acquiring an education for the ministry. 
To afford a limited patronage to young men of this character, upon 
principles both safe and salutary, is the design of the Society. 

Organization. 

In adopting a plan of organization, the founders of the Society 
have aimed to establish a system which should be simple and effica- 
cious, and which at the same time would admit of an easy extension 
over a wide territory. With this view a General or Parent So- 
ciety is formed, whose members are chosen from every section of 
the country, and with whom rests the supreme and ultimate direc 
tion of its concerns. 

A Board of Directors is chosen annually to superintend and to 
manage the prudential and executive business of the Society — and 
especially to form such Rules, and to adopt such a system of mea- 
sures, as will, in their judgment, secure the great ends of the Insti- 
tution. 

For the sake of greater facility, as well as safety, in managing 
the concerns of the Institution, Branch Societies are formed in dif- 
ferent States and sections of the country. Each Branch has, by the 
Constitution, a Board of Directors, whose business it is to superin- 
tend that part of the general interest which is intrusted to its care 
by the Parent Society ; it has a special treasury ; examines and re- 
ceives, in concert with the Parent Society, beneficiaries, and ap- 
propriates the funds in its treasury to their support. If there be a 
deficiency of resources, application is made to the General Treasury; 
or, if there be a surplus, it is remitted to the General Treasury. 
Thus, every Branch co-operates with the General Society, is govern- 
ed by its Constitution and Rules, and acts in subserviency to the 
same great object. The influence of the General Society becomes 
co-extensive with that of its Branches. Its funds include all which 
flows directly into its own treasury ; and all which passes into the 
subordinate treasuries; while the number of its beneficiaries com- 
prehends all those who are placed under the special care of the dif- 
ferent Branch Societies, as well as those who are under its own im- 
mediate supervision. 

The advantages of this system of organization are many. It 
gives the General Society all the energy of concentrated eflbrt, and 



22 EXPLANATORY BEMARKS. 

enables it to watch over the interests of separate portions of the com- 
munity with the faciUty of a local society. It produces a division of 
labor, which is not only favorable to economy, but, considering 
the nature and extent of the operations of the Society, is indispensa- 
ble. It is calculated to increase public confidence and to ensure 
public patronage, by introducing numerous checks, and rendering 
a perversion of the funds difficult. It gives to each portion of the 
community the security of the whole against final embarrassment 
and failure in the important matter of obtaining funds to carry for- 
ward the general object within its limits. In short, every Board of 
Directors of a Branch Society is a Committee for carrying into exe- 
cution the purposes and objects of the General Society. The most 
remote friends of the Institution are brought into contact with its 
interests and objects, and may have a personal share in the mea- 
sures which are taken to promote them. 

Leading Principle. 

To one who properly estimates the moral power, either good or 
bad, which is to be exerted by an educated ministry, no responsibi- 
lity will appear greater than that of opening the way into the sacred 
office, to hundreds and thousands of men. Such a responsibility, 
however, rests upon the American Education Society, and upon othei' 
similar Institutions. Millions of souls are to be saved or lost through 
their influence. Impressed with this belief, and awed by this re- 
sponsibility, the Directors have been anxious to adopt such princi- 
ples, and to pursue such a system of measures, as should have, ulti- 
mately, the most favorable influence upon the purity, the ability, 
the piety, and the evangelical energy of the ministry ; and which in 
this manner would best promote the safety, the enlargement, and the 
highest spiritual welfare of the churches of Christ. It is accord- 
ingly a. fundamental maxim with them, that success must depend, un- 
der God, chiefly, upon the character of those whom they are instru- 
mental of putting into the ministry. 

System of affording aid. 

In rendering assistance to those under their patronage, the Board 
of Directors have endeavoured to adopt a system which would har- 
monize with the great principle now mentioned. They would grant 
so much assistance, that a young man of proper disposition and en- 
dowments may obtain, without serious embarrassment, or loss of 
health, a thorough education for the ministry ; and they would afford 
aid in such a manner, as to incite him to diligence and economy, and 
to leave unimpaired, every desirable motive to personal effiDrt. Pro- 
ceeding upon this ground, the Directors have, after much experience 
and reflection, decided to make but small appropriations, and to 
grant these in the form of advantageous and parental loans, rather 
than in the form of a simple charity. The tendency of habits of de- 
pendence on charity, especially when formed in early life, has often 
operated as an objection to Education Societies in the minds of Intel- 
ligent and benevolent men. It has been seen that multitudes of the 
most distinguished men in every profession have raised themselves 
to honor and usefulness by their own efforts ; and public opinion 
has generally ascribed their success, in no small degree, to the se. 



EXPLANATOKT REMAKKS. 23 

vere, but salutary discipline which they experienced in the school of 
necessity. They were compelled to be men of enterprise, of dili- 
gence, of self-denial, and of resources, or to be nothing. Such 
men have been oftener found in the ministry, than in any other 
profession : and rarely indeed, have they been found unoccupied ; 
or, praying to be put into " one of the priest's offices that they might 
eat a piece of bread." Their labours have been estimated, as above 
all price, and the highest posts of usefulness in the church have been 
opened wide unto them. The Directors of the American Education 
Society would increase, rather than diminish, the number of such 
men. By adopting their present system, they encourage young 
men to do all which they can for themselves, and encourage their 
friends and relatives to assist them ; they lessen the inducement, to 
any but those whose hearts are strongly set on the ministry, and who 
really need assistance, to apply for aid ; they allow young men to 
feel that they are not pensioners on charity, but dependent, ulti- 
mately, upon themselves alone for their education ; and they in- 
ci-ease the resources, and thus extend and multiply the benefits of 
the Society. 

The loan, as will be seen by the Rules,* is without interest until 
there has been time to refund it — it is without any other security than 
that of the young man's own name — and it is made with the further 
provision, of being ultimately cancelled in whole, or in part, by the 
Board of Directors, should they think it improper or unsuitable to re- 
quire him to refund. Foreign and domestic missionaries, and mi- 
nisters settling in very destitute regions, where they can obtain only 
a scanty subsistence, have been decided by the Board, in several in- 
stances, to come within this provision. 

Responsible duty of Examining Committees. 
According to the foregoing Rules, it will be seen that the Exa- 
mining Committees are intrusted with a momentous responsibility. 
They are sentinels placed at the door of the Christian ministry. 
Their recommendation is the most important step towards obtaining ac- 
cess to the funds. If they are unfaithful, it will be difficult to prevent 
a wide perversion of these, and a serious injury will result to the 
church of God. It is earnestly hoped that this reflection will ever 
be impressed deeply on the minds of all who are appointed to per- 
form this sacred trust. Christian prudence requires that the sense 
of this responsibility should not be weakened by multiplying Exa- 
mining Committees unnecessarily, nor by placing many on the same 
Committee. 

Causes of a discontinuance of patronage. 

These are stated in general terms, in Chap. V. Sect. 12, to be 
'^improper conduct of any kind." We think it well to observe, that 
the Board regard all acts of resistance to the lawful authority and 
government of Instructers, as being eminently of this character, and 
they never fail to treat it accordingly. Neglect of study, extrava- 
gance in expenditures, great indiscretion, and any other conduct in- 



* Chap. VI. Sections 3 and 5. 



24 EXPLAKATOEY REMARKS. 

consistent with a Christian profession, or calculated to bring reproach 
on the cause of reUgion and benevolence, will be viewed as a suffi- 
cient reason for discontinuing patronage. 

Importance of a permanent and uniform income. 

There is a striking difference in the circumstances of the Ameri- 
can Education Society, and most other Benevolent Institutions of a 
popular kind. The most important work which the Directors have 
to perform lies in the selection, and thorough supervision of candi- 
dates for patronage. There is greater danger to be apprehended on 
this ground than on any other. The persons to be patronized are 
young, often minors, and their character is yet to be formed. In ad- 
dition to this, they are peculiarly liable to have their qualifications 
overrated, through the partiality of friends. To guard effectually 
against evils arising from these and other causes, it is mdispensable 
that the minds of the Directors and of their principal agents be re- 
lieved, as much as possible, from the hitherto all engrossing care of 
raising funds ; and that they have an opportunity of attending mi- 
nutely to the character and conduct of all under their patronage. 
Among the methods which have been devised to secure these impor- 
tant ends, is the establishment of scholarships ; either permanent, or 
annuities of seventy-five dollars a year for seven years — which are 
called temporary scholarships. For supplying the deficiencies of 
these when they exist, and meeting the various contingent expenses 
of the Society, a large amount of subscriptions, in the ordinary way, 
are constantly requisite. 

Necessity of a constant and faithful observance of the Rides. 

The system of Rules which have been adopted may appear minute 
to those who are not acquainted with the various and extended con- 
cerns which the Society and its Branches are obliged to manage. 
They are, however, no more numerous than the exigencies of the 
Society, after long experience in superintending its interests, abso- 
lutely require. It is not known that a single ride has been adopted 
which has not been called for in practice. They must therefore be 
observed, or some parf of the system of operations will be impaired, 
and move on irregularly. The Directors feel the necessity of ob- 
serving them to be imperative, and they cannot consent to disburse 
the funds intrusted to their care, over numerous and widely distant 
portions of the country, except in conformity with the Rules which 
are now promulged. 

The quarterly meetings of the Board, when appropriations are 
made, are on the second Wednesdays of January, April, July, and Oc- 
tober. All returns and applications should be in the hands of the Se- 
cretary of the General Society by the 1st day of each of these 
months. The Boards of the several Branch Societies meet usually 
two weeks previous to the meetings of the Board of the Parent Society. 
Returns and applications from young men within the limits of the re- 
spective Branches, should be sent to their several Secretaries, by the 
middle of the preceding months. 

Blanks of the various descriptions may be had at any time, without 
charge, by applying to the Executive Officers of the Parent Society, 
or of the Branch Societies. 



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